Episode 213: Pneumothorax
We break down pneumothorax: risks, diagnosis, and management pearls.
Hosts:
Christopher Pham, MD
Brian Gilberti, MD
https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Pneumothorax.mp3
Download
Leave a Comment
Tags: Chest Trauma, Pulmonary, Trauma
Show Notes
Risk Factors for Pneumothorax
Secondary pneumothorax
Trauma: rib fractures, blunt chest trauma (as in the case).
Iatrogenic: central line placement, thoracentesis, pleural procedures.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Young, tall, thin males (10–30 years).
Connective tissue disorders: Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos.
Underlying lung disease: COPD with bullae, interstitial lung disease, CF, TB, malignancy.
Technically, anyone is at risk.
Symptoms & Differential Diagnosis
Typical PTX presentation: Dyspnea, chest pain, pleuritic discomfort.
Exam clues: unilateral decreased breath sounds, focal tenderness/crepitus.
Red flags (suggest tension PTX):
JVD
Tracheal deviation
Hypotension, shock physiology
Severe tachycardia, hypoxia
Differential diagnoses:
Pulmonary: asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary edema (SCAPE), ILD, infections.
Cardiac: ACS, CHF, pericarditis.
PE and other acute causes of dyspnea.
Diagnostics
Bloodwork: limited role, except type & screen if intervention likely.
EKG: reasonable given chest pain/shortness of breath.